1 Summer Transfer Rumour Manchester City Fans Do Not Want to Come True

The transfer window is now in full swing, with new rumours circulating on a daily basis. For some, this represents an exciting period of gossip and mystery, for others, it’s a frustrating obstacle that must be overcome before the real interest can begin when the Premier League kicks off again in August.

Manchester City, as ever, have been linked with a number of signings. Paul Pogba, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne continue to dominate City’s transfer-column inches, but new names are now entering the fray. Jack Wilshere, Arsenal’s talented England midfielder, is being considered by the club, according to Paul Hetherington writing in the Star, with a bid of up to £40 million being mooted. 

Because of City’s need for “home-grown” players after the departures of Frank Lampard, James Milner and Dedryck Boyata, a number of players who fulfil the criteria are being linked. Given the paucity of quality available in the “home-grown” market, many of the names being touted are underwhelming to the City fans.

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According to Ian Layman writing in the Mail, one is Fabian Delph, Aston Villa’s central midfielder who was superb throughout the last campaign. News that City are interested in him has, perhaps unfairly, been met with disappointment from their fans.

The simple reason for that is they feel it is a significant step down from Pogba, who appears to be the club’s principal target. Whereas Pogba, 22, is on the cusp of greatness, a player possessing everything needed to go on and be one of the best players of his generation, Delph is far from in the same league.

There’s little doubt the Villa man has some excellent attributes. He’s now a starter in Roy Hodgson’s England side, which is recognition for the improvements he’s made to his game over the past 18 months.

His fitness is arguably his greatest asset. Playing centrally in a midfield three, he’s shown he has box-to-box ability, contributing at both ends of the field. Defensively, he still lacks the steeliness needed to be an out-and-out holding player, but his commitment and strength means he has been Villa's best and most consistent player in recent months. 

Given the quality he can strike the ball with, he hasn’t scored enough goals for Villa, bagging just eight in 128 appearances in all competitions, but he can dribble, pass and appears to be a model professional. He would bring many qualities to the Etihad if a move materialised. 

However, underrated and improving he may be, he isn’t seen by most as the kind of player City need to elevate them beyond their current level.

City’s title defence last season was poor, and given they exited both domestic cup competitions in disastrous circumstances, and stuttered in the Champions League, fans are expecting real quality to arrive in this window to see the team realise their ambitions.

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They need world-class players, and Delph is seen by many as a symbol of a lack of ambition on City’s part. There have been criticisms of City’s recent transfer activity, and the link with Delph is doing little to allay fears that may continue. 

If he did arrive, he would surely be a squad player for the coming campaign. At 25, his best years are ahead, and City may feel that, at the right price, he could be worth adding to the squad. 

The fans, though, have their sights set on much brighter stars. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.